A multicenter study to evaluate pain characteristics in osteogenesis imperfecta.

Area of Science:

• Medical Research
• Rare Diseases
• Pain Management

Background:

• Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a group of genetic disorders characterized by brittle bones.
• Chronic pain is a significant but understudied complication in individuals with OI.
• Understanding pain characteristics and predictors is crucial for improving patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe pain characteristics and treatments in individuals with varying osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) severity.
• To investigate variables associated with chronic pain in OI patients.
• To identify predictors of chronic pain across all OI types.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses were performed on data from 861 individuals with OI.
• Data were collected from a multicenter, longitudinal, observational, natural history study.
• Prevalence, characteristics, treatments, and predictors of chronic pain were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Chronic pain was present in 41.8% of individuals with OI, irrespective of OI type.
• Back pain was the most frequent complaint, with NSAIDs and bisphosphonates as common treatments.
• Chronic pain was associated with increased school/work absenteeism and poorer mobility, with age, sex, rodding surgery, scoliosis, comorbidities, assistive devices, height, and BMI as significant covariates.

Conclusions:

• Chronic pain is highly prevalent in osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) across all subtypes.
• Pain significantly impacts physical function, mobility, and participation in daily activities.
• Age, wheelchair use, and fracture frequency are key predictors of chronic pain in OI.